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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter

DYNAMOS are hoping to put a myriad of setbacks, which they faced this week, behind them when they travel to the Lowveld for a Premiership match against Triangle tomorrow.

The Glamour Boys were dealt a blow on the eve of the trip after they were slapped with a US$2 000 fine for the chaos that followed their Chibuku Super Cup exit last week.

The Premier Soccer League yesterday said Dynamos were penalised for the violent scenes caused by their fans in the aftermath of the 0-1 defeat to FC Platinum in a Chibuku Super Cup semi-final at the National Sports Stadium, last Sunday.

Referee Brighton Chimene and his assistants needed police escort from the pitch after a group of rowdy fans threatened to assault the match officials at the end of the match, accusing them of biased refereeing.

PSL spokesperson Kudzai Bare confirmed the Glamour Boys became the first team to be fined just a few weeks after spectators were allowed back into the stadium.

“The Premier Soccer League has fined Dynamos FC following incidents of crowd trouble that occurred at the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final match played against FC Platinum at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday 21 November, 2021.

“According to Order 1.9 of the Chibuku Super Cup Disciplinary Offences and Fines, Dynamos FC have been charged a sum of US$2 000 for failing to exercise control over their fans.

“The PSL urges clubs to raise awareness and educate their fans and officials on football rules and regulations to ensure the safety of spectators, match officials and players at football matches,” said Bare.

DeMbare coach, Tonderai Ndiraya, has been working overtime this week to help his players recover from the Chibuku Super Cup setback.

They had gone 12 games without defeat in the tournament and the loss to FC Platinum was a huge dent on their psychology.

DeMbare sought to boost their mental strength when they played a preparatory match against ZIFA Northern Region Division One side Beta Bricks XI, in mid-week, and won 3-2.

“Basically, it was a game we organised for the players who didn’t play last Sunday. That’s what we normally do, we try as much as possible to organise matches for them,’’ said Ndiraya.

“Of course, we also used the game as part of our preparations, testing our tactics, and how prepared we are tactically, especially going into the next match.

“I’m glad that we saw some improvements, especially psychologically.

“Like I said, we were so devastated, with the defeat on Sunday, especially after a general feeling that we put in a very good shift, it was really disheartening to lose that game, and the fact that it was our first loss in a long time.

“We really wanted to go all the way.

“So, psychologically, we also wanted to measure if our team was prepared and had put behind them the disappointing defeat against FC Platinum.’’

The Glamour Boys have almost all their players available for the game except Ghanaian defender, Sylvester Appiah, who is still struggling with a knock.

DeMbare will be making the trip to Triangle for the second time, in as many weeks, after their game was cancelled when the ousted ZIFA board withdrew the referees.

“I think our only worry is traveling, we were there a few days ago and we are going back again.

“That means we are going to travel a long distance in a few days.

“That is what has been giving us sleepless nights. We don’t really know how to manage the fatigue,” said Ndiraya.

An interesting fixture is also on the cards when the returning CAPS United coach, Lloyd Chitembwe, confronts his former paymasters Harare City, at the National Sports Stadium.

Chitembwe retraced his footsteps to Makepekepe following the expiry of his contract with the Sunshine Boys, who are now under the tutelage of unheralded coach, Tarisai Kaseke.

Defending champions FC Platinum have an interesting date against Chicken Inn at Mandava this afternoon while Highlanders will host Ngezi Platinum at Barbourfields tomorrow.

Fixtures

Today: FC Platinum v Chicken Inn (Mandava), Yadah v ZPC Kariba (Baobab), Herentals v Black Rhinos (National Sports Stadium), Bulawayo City v Manica Diamonds (Barbourfields), Tenax CS v Whawha (Sakubva)

Tomorrow: Highlanders v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Barbourfields), Triangle v Dynamos (Gibbo), CAPS United v Harare City (National Sports Stadium)